When Xue Fangmi was planning to use Fang Nongyan to deal with Qiu Yilan, Qiu Yilan was chasing the old doctor Qi in the general's mansion and asked, "Is there really nothing we can do?"
"No." The old doctor Qi didn't even prescribe any prescriptions this time, and sighed, "I was already running out of gas. The last time I got sick, I almost... To tell you the truth, the old general can hold on until now. It’s not easy. Besides, it’s miserable for him to lie like this. It would be a blessing if he went there earlier.”
Qiu Yilan's face turned livid, and after a long while she said, "Thank you, the old lady."
"I don't dare." The old doctor Qi had a close relationship with the Jiang family. She was vaguely aware of Jiang Yashuang's attitude towards her, so she didn't dare to blame her. She felt very guilty and said a few words about her lack of academic skills. After pondering for a moment, Finally, he mentioned, "Since the princess is here, please don't go back in the next two days."
This is equivalent to saying that General Ruan's end of life will be within these two days.
After seeing Old Doctor Qi off, Qiu Yilan walked into the inner room with heavy steps.
Ruan Qingyan was dressed in a green shirt, with a bamboo hairpin in her hair, silently guarding the side of the bed. The young man's slender jade-like hand tightly held the hand that was as skinny as a corpse in the quilt. The summer sunshine shines on the ground in front of the couch through the south window, illuminating the room magnificently. The grandfather and grandson hidden in the tent are like an oil painting that has accumulated time - at this moment, speechless is worth a thousand words, and the autumn waves are flowing. He didn't dare to step forward.
After hesitating for a while, seeing that Ruan Qingyan ignored her, she decided not to bother her anymore.
When he retreated outside the door, he saw Dongran and Qiuran waiting for him with red eyes. Qiu Yilan motioned for them to go farther away, but after stopping, he didn't know what to say
Fortunately, Dongran wiped his eyes and said: "Since the old doctor Qi said that, I dare to ask: What happened after the old general's death...?"
"... Let's go and buy it." Qiu Yilan didn't know much about the funeral, but she also knew that grand burials were popular at this time, and no matter how poor the Ruan family was, it couldn't be compared to the common people. In particular, Ruan Qingyan is an adopted heir. He died after serving General Ruan for only a few days. The grandeur of the old general’s funeral will directly determine his future evaluation of filial piety. This evaluation has a lifelong impact.
Now that Dong Ran said the most difficult thing to say, the next discussion became a matter of course: "The longevity materials and clothes were all made many years ago. They are banquets and the like... There hasn't been a banquet in the house for more than ten years. It used to be used for The Ming Tang banquet hall has also been damaged for many years, and this party will definitely not have time to repair it - the guests and the venue... "
"If it doesn't work, just demolish a few houses that are not important and are no longer easy to repair." Qiu Yilan thought for a moment before saying, "Let's build a shed in an open area."
While they were talking, a servant from the front came to report: "Master Ling Xiaohou is here, but the young master..."
"Don't disturb my cousin." Qiu Yilan shook her head and said, "Please invite Mr. Ling Xiaohou to serve tea in the flower hall, and I will explain it to him."
It was rare that Ling Zui didn't bring his pretty maid with him this time. When Qiu Yilan entered the flower hall, she even saw that he had a riding whip in his hand. He had obviously come on horseback as soon as he received the news. When they met, Ling Zui asked immediately : "Old General?!"
"Old Doctor Qi asked me not to return to the palace for the next few days." Qiu Yilan nodded sadly, Ling Zui sighed - this news is actually not surprising, after all, General Ruan is just delaying the news, everyone has already Just know.
"How is Chunjun now?" Ling Zui asked after calming down. Chunjun was the name given to Ruan Qingyan after he passed the exam. Although according to the ancient rules, the name was given with a crown of twenty, but Ruan Qingyan entered the official position early and it was inconvenient to call him without a word. .
Qiu Yilan smiled bitterly: "Stay in front of my grandfather, no one dares to disturb him."
Ling Zui paced back and forth in the hall and said a little irritably: "I know how he feels now - it's just that he will be the only one in this big general's mansion from now on, so you must take care of yourself!"
"That's the truth, but it's easier to know than to do." Qiu Yilan said melancholy, "After all, my cousin has always been filial."
That was his biological grandfather. It had only been a few days since they had reunited, and they were about to part ways. How could a few words persuade him to do so
Ling Zui frowned and said, "Should I go and take a look?" Seeing Qiu Yilan pondering, he said, "Don't worry, just take a look at the door. If he is impatient to talk, I won't bother him."
"Then you come with me." Qiu Yilan thought for a moment. Although Ling Zui was famous for being unruly and dissolute in Beijing, it seemed that he and Ruan Qingyan were not all just friends. They still had some sincere friendship. Otherwise, I would not have rushed here in such a hurry after receiving the news that General Ruan was about to die.
Sure enough, they led him to the back, and after seeing Ruan Qingyan holding Old General Ruan's hand and crying silently outside the door, Ling Zui just sighed silently and stood on the porch with his hands folded, without any intention of disturbing him.
Qiu Yilan looked at Ruan Qingyan in the room and was stunned for a moment. The impression Ruan Qingyan had always given her was that he was smooth and decisive, yet cruel and ruthless. He was so deep that he did not look like a young man who had not yet been crowned. But now she looked at this man in the past. The cousin who had always appeared in front of her with a protective and teaching attitude was crying silently, and then she remembered that this cousin was actually only eighteen years old.
Even at this time, there are still many eighteen-year-old men who are still concentrating on studying or enjoying themselves under the care of their elders. But Ruan Qingyan has long taken on the important responsibility of the rise and fall of a family. He must not only take care of his elders, but also take care of his sisters' future.
Just thinking about it makes me feel so heavy and sour.
"Sister Ning Yi, please stay here." She was lost in thought when her sleeve was suddenly pulled, and Ling Zui whispered, "I'm going to see if there's anything I can do to help... This public appearance It’s not convenient for you, a little girl, to do anything like this.”
Ling Zui had no feelings for General Ruan. He was worried about his friend Ruan Qingyan. Looking at Ruan Qingyan, he was unable to see things for the time being. Ling Zui naturally thought that since General Ruan only lived in these two days, once he was gone, Ruan Qingyan's current situation In this state, it is definitely impossible to arrange the funeral affairs in an orderly manner.
Qiu Yilan, who was still able to come out to meet guests, was a thirteen-year-old girl. Ruan Qingyan had previously taken care of Princess Ruan's funeral. At this time, Ling Zui felt that he would not be able to help. General Ruan's funeral would definitely be arranged. There was a problem - even though he didn't really understand it, as the son of a princess and a marquis, this kind of thing wouldn't be difficult for him.
Qiu Yilan naturally had no objection to his offer. She sniffed and whispered, "I'm sorry to bother you."
"That's what you said." Ling Zui looked at her slightly red eyes and pitiful appearance, and subconsciously wanted to make a joke, but when the words came to his mouth, he felt inappropriate and quickly coughed twice to cover it up, "You stay here Please stay with Chunjun here and ignore the secular affairs for these two days. I will go back to the house to find a few smart stewards to come and help. I am determined not to worry about you brothers and sisters. "
Just before he left, another visitor came to the general's mansion - Qiu Nie came.
This was the second time Qiu Yilan saw Qiu Nie. This man who had passed the same subject as Ruan Qingyan was dying when he left the Gongyuan. He looked very energetic. He was very surprised that Qiu Yilan came out to receive him. : "Brother Ruan now...?"
"My cousin is accompanying my grandfather right now, staying close to me, so I can't come out to greet him. I'm really sorry." Qiu Yilan tried her best to explain, but finally remembered, "I would also like to ask Qiu Hanlin to file a complaint with Shangguan on behalf of my brother. "
Qiunie's ranking on the gold medal list was not as high as that of Ruan Qingyan, but they were both young, so they were both selected to be trained in the Hanlin Academy. They were both in the same department and as colleagues.
After listening to Qiu Yilan's words, Qiu Nie nodded slightly: "Princess, please rest assured, almost everyone in the capital knows about the affairs of the General's Mansion now, I think Lord Ding must also have heard about it."
The two of them were not familiar with each other, and Qiu Nie was not like Ling Zui who liked to get acquainted with beauties when he saw them, so after a polite conversation, Qiu Nie left.
Not long after he left, Ling Zui brought people over from the Jingchuan Marquis Mansion, so Qiu Yilan didn't have to worry about any further visitors.
This time she quietly walked to General Ruan's door to look around, but was immediately called in by Ruan Qingyan: "You have also heard from Doctor Qi about my grandfather's condition. I have a few things to tell you now."
Qiu Yilan said hurriedly: "Cousin, please tell me."
"Once grandpa..." Ruan Qingyan had already tidied up his appearance. Except for the redness of his eyes, he couldn't tell that he had cried. He regained his calm demeanor and said calmly, "I definitely want Ding You to observe filial piety."
This is a proper righteousness, and officials rarely escape it - it is best not to hide if you can, otherwise, after more than ten decades, they will inevitably be criticized by political opponents.
Qiu Yilan knew it well and was not surprised: "I know."
"But the Ruan family's ancestral home is not from Beijing. Although Laizhou is not too far from Beijing, it takes two or three days for a person to ride back and forth quickly." Ruan Qingyan continued, "No one of the biological descendants of my grandfather is alive, and the deceased can only be I have to observe my filial piety for three years. I really can’t rest assured if I leave you alone in the capital.”
"Cousin, what do you want?" Qiu Yilan forced a smile and thought to herself, why don't you take me to Laizhou
But I heard Ruan Qingyan say: "I have my heart to take you to Laizhou, but after thinking about it for three years, your surname is not Ruan, it is really inappropriate." At this point, his face showed a hint of boredom, "I wouldn't have known if I had known it. I want to pursue the idea of a noble lady and marry a virtuous woman from a good family. This way I will have a reason to take you with me."
Qiu Yilan bit her lower lip: "Actually, I can take care of myself."
"So I thought about it carefully just now." Ruan Qingyan ignored this sentence and said, "I decided to find a backer for you."
Qiu Yilan said in surprise: "What?!"
"I plan to let you adopt Princess Maode, the mother of Mr. Ling Xiaohou, as your adoptive mother." Ruan Qingyan rubbed his eyebrows and said, "Mr. Ling Xiaohou suggested this earlier, but I think since I am in Beijing, we can do it ourselves You can solve the matter by yourself, there is no need to disturb the eldest princess, but right now..."
Qiu Yilan was stunned for a moment, and then said: "Now that I have a filial piety, can I also pay homage to my adoptive mother?"
"Princess Maode has always been soft-hearted, and she favors Ling Xiaohou the most." Ruan Qingyan said, "Let me and Ling Xiaohou discuss this matter, there should be no problem."
He also said, "The eldest princess and Marquis Jingchuan are both members of Prime Minister Xue. What happened to the Miss Xue family last time made Prime Minister Xue feel very guilty. If you become the adopted daughter of the eldest princess, Prime Minister Xue will definitely do it later." Keep an eye on you secretly."
"Who wants the care of the Xue family?" Qiu Yilan sneered, "That Miss Xue family... Hey!"
"Don't be arrogant." Compared to how she was furious when she heard about the Xue family, Ruan Qingyan, who was the victim of the insult, was as calm as if nothing had happened. "Since you also think that Miss Xue family is sorry for me, then Xue Xiangdai can make up for it." Don’t we deserve it?”
Qiu Yilan thought about it, but she still said angrily: "The Miss Xue family is as crazy as a blind person. Even a blind person can see how innocent you are, cousin, but she picked you to bully! Who knows if she will burn me if she turns around? ?”
These words made Ruan Qingyan frown, and after thinking for a long time, he said: "Don't go out normally. Mr. Xue will not let Miss Xue go to the Prince's Mansion in Xihe. If the Prince's Mansion is in trouble with you, send someone to tell Princess Maode, please ask the Prime Minister The princess stands up for you."
Worried that his sister would be embarrassed, he simply said, "I always give the eldest princess generous sums of money during festivals. Plus my friendship with Ling Zui, it's right for the eldest princess to stand up for you. It shouldn't be troublesome." You don’t have to be patient.”
Qiu Yilan was silent for a moment and then said: "Don't tell me that you will pay for all these expenses! Now I also have a property..."
"Your property is your dowry. How much more do you think the Xihe Palace will give you in the future?" Ruan Qingyan refused, "The wealth in the south is beyond your imagination. This expenditure is nothing to me. You live it." Only then can I rest assured—it’s settled now!”